Steve Scalise Bio
Stephen Joseph Scalise (born October 6, 1965) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. House Majority Leader since 2023 and as the representative for Louisiana’s 1st congressional district since 2008. A Republican, he previously held the positions of House Majority Whip from 2014 to 2019 and House Minority Whip from 2019 to 2023, and he chaired the House Republican Study Committee in 2013–2014. Scalise gained national attention after surviving a life-threatening gunshot wound during practice for the 2017 Congressional Baseball Game and later returned to Congress to continue his career. In October 2023, he won the Republican nomination for Speaker of the House but withdrew his bid after failing to secure the required votes.
Early Life and Background
Stephen Joseph Scalise was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 6, 1965, one of three children of Alfred Joseph Scalise, a real estate broker, and Carol Schilleci. His great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy in the late 1800s. Scalise grew up alongside his siblings, Glenn and Tara, in a family with deep New Orleans roots and a strong Italian-American heritage.
He graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, located in Jefferson Parish, before attending Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. At LSU, Scalise earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in computer science and a minor in political science. He was also a member of the Acacia Fraternity during his college years and later served on the board of the American Italian Renaissance Foundation, which supports the American Italian Cultural Center.
Path to US Politics
Scalise’s entry into politics began in 1995, when Louisiana Republicans recruited him to run for state representative Quentin Dastugue’s District 82 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He won the seat and was re-elected in 1999 and 2003, serving in the state House until 2007. During this period, Scalise built a reputation as a reliable conservative voice in state government and developed the political skills that would later support his rise in federal office.
In 2004, Scalise announced a campaign for Louisiana’s 1st congressional district but deferred to party leaders and supported Bobby Jindal, who won the seat. When Jindal was elected governor in 2007, Scalise once again announced his candidacy for the House seat, this time receiving full Republican party backing. On October 20, 2007, he was elected to the District 9 seat in the Louisiana State Senate, and he was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives on May 7, 2008, beginning his long tenure in Congress.
Steve Scalise Career
Early Career (1995–2007)
During his three terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives, Scalise established himself as a rising figure in Louisiana Republican politics. He focused on fiscal conservatism and limited government, frequently championing tax relief and economic growth policies. By the time he completed his final term in 2007, Scalise had earned a reputation as a hard-working legislator who could win tough elections in heavily Republican districts.
After winning a Louisiana State Senate seat in 2007, Scalise spent just a few months in the state Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In his first regular congressional election, he defeated Democrat Jim Harlan by a margin of 66 percent to 34 percent, signaling strong voter support in his southeast Louisiana district. He went on to win reelection in 2010, 2012, and in every subsequent cycle, consistently securing more than 60 percent of the vote.
Republican Study Committee Chair (2013–2014)
In 2013, Scalise won a come-from-behind race to become chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, a powerful caucus of conservative House Republicans. As chairman, he pushed an agenda focused on reducing federal spending, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and promoting free-market policies. His leadership of the committee helped raise his profile within the conference and positioned him as a leading voice for the conservative wing of the Republican caucus.
His tenure as RSC chairman also brought controversy. In December 2012, Scalise dismissed a committee staffer, Derek Khanna, after pressure from content industry lobbyists who objected to a memo advocating copyright reform. Despite the criticism, Scalise’s success in steering the RSC during a period of internal Republican debate strengthened his standing among his colleagues and paved the way for his elevation to a senior leadership role.
House Majority Whip Era (2014–2019)
Following the unexpected defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in June 2014, Scalise launched a campaign to replace Kevin McCarthy as majority whip. He won a three-way race against Peter Roskam and Marlin Stutzman on the first ballot, and he assumed the office on August 1, 2014. As majority whip, Scalise became the third-ranking House Republican behind Speaker Paul Ryan and McCarthy, and the first Louisianian to serve in the role since Hale Boggs held it in the 1960s.
Scalise’s whip operation was tested almost immediately when, on June 14, 2017, a gunman opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia. Scalise was shot in the hip and nearly died, undergoing multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. He returned to Congress on September 28, 2017, receiving a standing ovation from his colleagues, and resumed his leadership duties. The experience deepened his resolve and made him a symbol of resilience within the Republican conference.
House Minority Whip and Majority Leader (2019–Present)
After Republicans lost their House majority in the 2018 elections, Scalise was elected House minority whip, making him second in command behind Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. In this role, he continued to manage party messaging, count votes, and mentor newer members of the conference. Following the 2022 midterm elections, when Republicans regained the majority, Scalise was elected unopposed as House Majority Leader during the 118th Congress.
His leadership was put to the test in October 2023, when Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House. House Republicans chose Scalise over Jim Jordan as their nominee for Speaker by a vote of 113 to 99, but he withdrew from consideration a day later after failing to consolidate the necessary 217 Republican votes. Fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson was ultimately elected Speaker, and Scalise remained Majority Leader, where he continues to serve as the most senior member of House GOP leadership.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scalise’s career has been defined by several pivotal moments, including his survival of the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting and his brief bid for Speaker in 2023. In 2002, he spoke at a convention organized by David Duke, a fact that became public in 2014 and drew national criticism; Scalise apologized and stated he had been unaware of the group’s racist views. In 2013, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and later returned to work after beginning chemotherapy, demonstrating his commitment to public service even during personal health challenges.
Steve Scalise Family
Family Background and Heritage
Steve Scalise was raised in a close-knit Italian-American family in New Orleans. His father, Alfred Joseph Scalise, was a real estate broker who passed away in 2015 at the age of 77, and his mother is Carol Schilleci. He grew up with two siblings, Glenn and Tara, and his great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy in the late 1800s, giving the family deep roots in the New Orleans community.
Personal Life
A Catholic, Scalise married Jennifer Ann Letulle on March 19, 2005. The couple has two children and resides in Louisiana. Scalise continues to balance his demanding role in House leadership with his family life, drawing on the support of his wife and children throughout his career.